An Ontario caddis imitation made of calftail hair which has a durable high-floating wing profile...this is also taken to be a mayfly pattern...
Monday, August 24, 2026
Sunday, August 23, 2026
THE ORIGINAL BROOMSTICK, BEARSTICK AND TAN CADDIS - by JOHN WILSON
The Original Broomstick, Bearstick & Tan Caddis — by John Wilson
These are my original patterns, developed on the Beaverkill River in Roscoe, NY. I designed them to be versatile — you can fish them dead-drift, skitter them across the surface, or dive them as submergers to mimic egg-laying insects.
WATCH: How to tie them
TYING THE BROOMSTICK AND BEARSTICK CADDIS - Original Patterns by John Wilson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkzu6A3qRVw
1. The Tan Broomstick Caddis
My main fly since 1980. Uses kinky calf-tail hair to trap air and create a lifelike bubble trail. The wing is virtually indestructible tan calftail hair and can be made in various colours to mimic hatching flies — olive, green, black, sulphur, rust or cinnamon.
2. The Bearstick Caddis (Dark)
The darker brother. Uses the "puffy" roots of black bear hair for incredible buoyancy and a natural silhouette. Both calftail and bear fur trap air and leave an attractive comet-like trail of bubbles when submerged.
3. The WilsonCaddis / TanCaddis Family
A caddis imitation which floats well, skitters and dives. Also highly effective as Blue Winged Olive (BWO) or general mayfly imitations in smaller sizes #16-20. Works on the Grand River in Fergus, the Credit River, and the historic Beaverkill.
I tie them with and without hackle now — this old dog learned some new tricks. That's the fun of it.
For more history and high-resolution photos, visit my blog here at tancaddis.blogspot.com
Tight lines,
John Wilson - wilsoncaddis
Grouse Tracks & Broomstick Caddis
Second video:
BROOMSTICK & BEARSTICK CADDIS PATTERNS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvuhIk-bUTI
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Sunday, July 5, 2026
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
BEARSTICK CADDIS
The Bearstick Caddis: Taming the Darker Hatches
By John Wilson
For years, the original Broomstick Caddis has been my go-to for the tan and light-coloured hatches. But there are days—especially during those moody afternoons on the Grand River in Fergus or the technical waters of the Credit River—when the trout are keyed into something darker.
That is where the Bearstick Caddis (or the Bearhair Broomstick) comes into its own.
The Magic of the Root
While the original Broomstick uses kinky calf-tail, the Bearstick relies on the roots of black bear hair cut close to the hide. This material is uniquely "puffy," mimicking the natural buoyancy of CDC but with far more durability.
When tied with a horizontal wing and an olive body, it becomes a versatile Blue Winged Olive (BWO) imitation. I find these most effective in the smaller ranges—sizes 16, 18, and 20.
Tying Tip: The "Wild" Leg & Shuck
One question I often get is how I achieve such a "buggy" look without traditional hackle. My secret is all in the dubbing and a bit of flash:
- The Wing & Shuck: Secure your bear hair wing horizontally with a drop of cement to lock it in place. In this model, I add three sprigs of sparkle flash at the rear to imitate a trailing shuck—similar to the X-Caddis—which acts as a major strike trigger for selective fish.
- The Wild Spin: Take your grey or chocolate brown dubbing and spin it loosely onto the thread.
- No Compression: This is the key—dub the thorax without compressing or pressing down the dubbing with your thumb and finger. By leaving the fibers loose and wild, they stand out naturally to provide that leggy movement trout can't resist.
Material List
- Hook: Mustad 94840, 94845 (or modern barbless alternatives like Daiichi 1190 or Firehole 419) in sizes 14-20.
- Thread: Tan or Olive 8/0.
- Body: Olive or Burnt Umber dubbing.
- Wing: Black Bear hair roots (cut close to the hide).
- Shuck: 3 sprigs of Sparkle Flash.
- Legs: Grey or Chocolate Brown dubbing (spun wild).
From the Beaverkill to Ontario
This pattern has served me well from the Beaverkill where it all started, to my favorite local drifts on the Grand and the Credit. I’ve spent many afternoons sitting at a picnic bench in Fergus, tying these up on the spot to match a hatch I wasn't prepared for.
Whether you dead-drift it, skitter it, or dive it to mimic a living insect, the Bearstick is a "must-have" for the late-day angler.
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